Using earplugs while diving: is it possible?

Earplugs are ideal for keeping water out of your ears while swimming or enjoying other water sports. But can you wear earplugs while diving as well? 

Why wear earplugs in the water? 

Wearing earplugs in the water: 

Getting water in your ears can be annoying. Some people experience significant discomfort and irritation because of it. Earplugs prevent this by sealing off the ear canal. If you’ve had certain ear surgeries, such as ear tube placement or eardrum repair, getting water in your ears can lead to complications. That’s why it’s especially important to keep your ears dry! 

Especially when swimming in open water, there’s a higher risk of ear infections and swimmer’s ear, which is an inflammation of the skin in the ear canal. Wearing earplugs keeps water and dirt out of your ears. 

Water sports enthusiasts are at greater risk of developing surfer’s ear, a condition caused by frequent or prolonged exposure to cold water and wind. Wearing earplugs can help prevent this. 

A pool full of kids, a crowded lake, or a busy beach on a hot summer day can get very loud. Earplugs help muffle noise, reduce overstimulation, and bring more peace of mind. 

If you plan to wear earplugs in the water, make sure they’re waterproof. That means no yellow foam earplugs—they won’t keep water out. 

Can you use any type of earplugs for diving?  

Can you wear earplugs while diving? It depends on how deep you’re going. Alpine water sports earplugs and other standard earplugs are only safe for depths up to 1 meter (about 3 feet). To understand why, it helps to know what happens to your ears when you dive. 

Underwater, pressure changes. This affects various parts of your body, including your ears. The deeper you go, the more pressure pushes on your eardrum. Your eardrum gets pushed inward by this pressure. To equalize the pressure inside and outside your ears, you need to clear your ears regularly while diving—a basic skill taught in diving classes. There are several ways to do this. One common method is to exhale gently while pinching your nose shut. This pushes air from your throat upward. The increased pressure in your upper throat (nasopharynx) forces air through your Eustachian tubes into your middle ear, equalizing the pressure on both sides of your eardrum. 

Standard earplugs aren’t suitable for diving because they completely block the ear canal, preventing you from clearing your ears. If you want to use earplugs while diving deeper than 1 meter, you’ll need special diving earplugs. These have a tiny vent hole that allows you to equalize pressure safely. 

Can I dive off a diving board while wearing earplugs? 

What about wearing earplugs when diving off a diving board? When you dive from a high diving board, you typically go deeper than 1 meter. If you’re wearing earplugs, you’ll face the same issue as with regular diving: you won’t be able to clear your ears. Plus, there’s a good chance the earplugs will fall out when you hit the water. For this reason, diving off a board while wearing earplugs isn’t recommended. 

Conclusion 

Proper swim earplugs are designed to fully seal your ears, making them ideal for swimming and most water sports by keeping water out. If you often experience discomfort from water in your ears or are prone to ear infections, earplugs are essential. Planning to go snorkeling or diving no deeper than 1 meter? You can safely wear Alpine SwimSafe or Alpine WaterSafe Pro earplugs. However, if you’re getting your diving certification or diving with full equipment to several meters deep, you’ll need to be able to clear your ears. That’s only possible with special diving earplugs equipped with a pressure vent hole.